"Those who have given great service to the country through sport should be recognised and we will be looking to promote consideration for those athletes who have done such a fantastic job for this country," he said.

"It is right and important that the country has an opportunity - and the honours list is one of those opportunities - to recognise their contribution, of that I have no doubt.

"I'm sure that that will be taken care of. It certainly should be.

"If you ask me whether I'd be supportive of it being taken care of, (the answer would be) yes, yes and yes again."

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